Vietnam suspends rice exports to ensure food security

25/ 03/ 2020

Photo: Vietnam News

Prime Minister has just directed guidance on checking, assessing the supply and the situation of rice export. The Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc assigned the Ministry of Industry and Trade to lead and coordinate with the Ministries of Agriculture and Rural Development, Finance and related agencies to set up an inter-ministerial inspection team to work with localities and enterprises to inspect and assess Vietnam’s rice supply, the situation of rice exports and implementation of rice reserves. Based on the assessment report, the Prime Minister will consider and decide on the adjustment of rice exports in accordance with the Law on Foreign Trade Management, Decree No. 107/2018/ND-CP dated August 15, 2018 of the Government on rice export and other relevant laws, latest by March 28, 2020.

While waiting for the assessment report, the Prime Minister requested to suspend the signing of new rice export contracts. Those contracts that have already been signed will be dealt with after the report is available.

The Prime Minister assigned the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Ministry of Finance to be responsible for ensuring rice supply to the people in the country in the current context of climate change and pandemic.